What type of feathers to use for popper tails?
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Freshwater Fishing
Forum Name: Fly Tying
Forum Description: Swap tips and techniques for Fresh and Saltwater fly patterns
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=80252
Printed Date: 01 Feb 2026 at 11:47pm
Topic: What type of feathers to use for popper tails?
Posted By: ThomasW
Subject: What type of feathers to use for popper tails?
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2012 at 12:19pm
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I want to tie a few surf poppers, but would like to know what sort of feathers to buy? Went into the local shop and there was heaps of different types and grades which just confused me. Wanting feathers like these ones
or http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/7/8/5/7/6/webimg/510247292_o.jpg - http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/7/8/5/7/6/webimg/510247292_o.jpg |
Replies:
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2012 at 12:58pm
| they look like dyed saddle hackle feathers Thomas |
Posted By: ThomasW
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2012 at 1:17pm
| Do you think it would make much of a difference if I used neck hackle instead of saddle hackle? |
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2012 at 1:23pm
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Neck hackles would be shorter, I'd think so would be difficult getting the tail long enough along with the winds required to make the "hackle" collar
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Posted By: ThomasW
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2012 at 2:06pm
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Thanks. Looks like I am going to need to order a couple of packs of Saddle Hackle. I thought Saddlebacks were basically extinct, what are we doing using them for fly tying. Have lost my bobbin cotton holding thingy so going to have to order one of them also, now just need to find the hooks I ordered from America two winters ago. |
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2012 at 3:08pm
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=saddle+hackles&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=KbPzT4XmG6m6iQeE5ZWEBw&ved=0CEIQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=635  |
ThomasW wrote:Posted By: ThomasW
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2012 at 4:37pm
| Thats a lot of dead birdies. |
Posted By: StPaul
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2012 at 8:41am
| I have saddle hackle in white, chartreuse and orange if ya need some |
Posted By: Jaapie
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2012 at 12:58pm
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Mate, if I could make a suggestion-
I'd be looking at Marabou too (for movement) and also a bit of bucktail for the tail (stiffness) and length. The soft feathers have a tendency to wrap if used by themselves. The bit of stiff bucktail stops this - you don't need a lot on the fly.
Longer saddle hackles are ok but they really do twist around the hook.
Just a thought..... ------------- "Only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught,will we realize that we cannot eat money" - 19th Century Indian Creed |